The duo are said to be in discussions to star in David Koepp's big-screen adaptation of Kyril Bonfiglioli's three-part novel series, reported Variety.

Lone Ranger star Johnny is already on board to play Charles Mortdecai, an art dealer and rogue who finds himself in a race "to recover a stolen painting rumoured to contain the code to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold".

Filming is looking to get under way in late 2013 once Johnny has wrapped the musical Into The Woods.

Gwyneth, last seen as Pepper Potts in Iron Man 3, will next star alongside Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins and Joely Richardson in indie comedy-drama Thanks For Sharing.

Meanwhile, Ewan will be in August: Osage County, which also stars Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch and Julia Roberts.